Listen to Music: A Tool to Reduce Physical Anxiety and Panic

Who Can Benefit?

Listening to music is particularly beneficial for individuals who experience panic attacks, have physical symptoms of anxiety, or struggle to calm down. Engaging with music, whether by listening or playing an instrument, can provide immediate relief and promote emotional regulation.

How to Use Music for Anxiety Relief

  1. Listen to a Playlist: Choose calming or uplifting music that resonates with you. Simply listening to music can increase heart-rate variability, which is associated with reduced anxiety and improved emotional resilience.
  2. Play an Instrument: If you play an instrument, spending time making music can have an even stronger effect on reducing anxiety. The act of playing music engages your mind and body, providing a deeper level of emotional regulation.

The Science Behind Music and Anxiety Relief

Music engages multiple areas of the limbic system, including the hippocampus, anterior cingulate, and nucleus accumbens, all of which are involved in emotional regulation. By influencing these brain regions, music can help manage emotions, reduce anxiety, and lower blood pressure, making it a powerful tool for calming the nervous system.

Reference

Korb, A. (2015). The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time. New Harbinger Publications.

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